Introduction:
A 95-year-old woman was tasered by a police officer in a critical incident at an aged care home in Cooma, Australia. The woman, Clare Nowland, fell and hit her head after being tasered and is currently in a critical condition at Cooma Base Hospital. The police officer involved in the incident remains on the job, but his duties are under review. Disability advocates have called out the lack of judgement by the police officers and have highlighted the need for better training on de-escalation tactics for people with disabilities.
Body:
The incident occurred when the police were called to Yallambee Lodge in Cooma after reports of a patient with a knife. The elderly woman, Clare Nowland, was carrying a serrated steak knife and negotiations commenced with her to drop the knife. However, she did not comply, and when she approached the police officers slowly with her walking frame, she was tasered.
The use of force by police against people with disabilities is all too common, according to disability advocates. There is a lack of training for police officers on de-escalation tactics for people with psychosis, Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, schizophrenia, or any other disability. The aged-care sector should also do more to manage incidents involving people with dementia without using force.
The NSW Police commissioner Karen Webb has assured the community that the investigation will be subject to an independent review. The Snowy Monaro Regional Council, which runs Yallambee Lodge, has declined to comment on the incident.
Conclusion:
The incident involving Clare Nowland highlights the need for better training for police officers on de-escalation tactics for people with disabilities. Disability advocates have called for more compassion and time to handle such situations without resorting to force. The aged-care sector should also do more to manage incidents involving people with dementia without using force. The investigation into the incident will be subject to an independent review, and the community is assured that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Source: abc.net.au
